hearn



Nov. 5, 1957 B. F. HEARN 2,812,060

' MATERIAL CLASSIFYING APPARATUS Filed April 6, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTOZ/VEYS Nov. 5, 1957 B. F. HEARN 2,812,060

MATERIAL CLASSIFYING APPARATUS.

Filed April 6, 1956 4 Sheets-$heet 2 F/G. Z

4 INVENTOR.

BENJAM/A/E F. A/EAzA/ ATTUZ/V YS B. F. HEARN 2,812,060

MATERIAL I CLASSIFYING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 M z m 6 N A i: mm 5 m N N F e 1 a E 7 m w r M A lllll I l 3 A v 5 Q3 QM Nov. 5, 1957 B. F. HEARN MATERIAL CLASSIFYING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Shegat 4 Filed April 6, 1956 N m QN ONN mmvroxf BfM/AMME E #542 I BY ATTOZ/VEYS Un te z,s1z,0ss MATERIAL cLAssirrrso APPARATUS Application April 6, 1956, Serial No. 576,586 8 Claims. (Cl. 209-36) This invention relates generally to material separation and is more particularly concerned with novel classifying or separation apparatus.

Classification of various mixtures of materials, such as mineral bearing ores, sands, dusts and the like has always been time consuming, and often a monetarily ineflicient procedure. Due to inefficient apparatus both automatic and manually operated, valuable minerals such as gold, uranium and the like have been discarded as tailings due to the inability of such apparatus to economically classify the various values of a given mixture in a quantity and quality to prove profitable. A primary object of invention resides in novel classifymg apparatus overcoming the shortcomings of the prior art, ncorporating gravity feed and separation related to varymg specific gravities of different values of a mixture to be classified, utilizing an air circulation system in a closed separation chamber.

A more specific object of invention in conformance with that set forth is to provide in novel classifying apparatus of the character involved a horizontally inclined separation chamber hung on a support frame for reciprocatory movement on its longitudinal axis, said separation chamber including mixture input duct means extendng longitudinally of the separation chamber for receiv- 1ng therein a controlled mixture of material to be classified, exhaust duct means extending longitudinally in said separation chamber in overlying relationship to the mixture input duct means, separation station duct means in communication with said mixture input means, air input duct means in communication with the separation station duct means below the mixture input duct means, the exhaust duct means communicating with the mixture input duct means in overlying relationship relative to said separatlon station duct means, damper control means controlling airflow between the air input and separation station duct means, and mixture input and exhaust duct means, air draft means in communication with said mixture input and exhaust duct means, and rifiie means in the mixture input duct means downstream of said separation station duct means whereby airflow through the air input, separation stations, mixture input and exhaust duct means results in a predetermined value of the mixture gravitating into the separation station duct means.

Another object of invention in conformance with that set forth is to provide in novel classifying apparatus of the character set forth a plurality of longitudinally spaced separation station duct means including rifiie means disposed downstream thereof in relation to the mixture flow through the mixture input duct means for removing different values of the mixture in relation to their varying specific gravities.

A still further object of invention in conformance with that set forth is to provide in novel classifying apparatus of the character set forth a tier of the novel separation chambers wherein said chambers include overlying longitudinally extending inclined chute members movable with said separation chambers, the upper chute members ineluding bottom portions comprising graduated screens graded from large to small in descending relationship tent from the uppermost chute member, the lowermost chute member including a solid bottom panel portion receiving thereon material screened through the upper chute members.

And yet another object of invention in conformance with that set forth is to provide in novel classifying apparatus of the character set forth damper control means interposed between the mixture input duct and air draft means upstream of the Iiifie means for providing an increased velocity flow adjacent the exhaust duct means for readily displacing mixture tailings of the mixture being classified.

Other objects of invention in conformance with that set forth reside in the novel construction and association of the various parts of the novel classifying apparatus involving giving rise to automatic and expedient classification of a mixture passing through said apparatus.

And a still further object of invention in conformance with that set forth is to provide novel classifying apparatus of the character set forth which is readily and economically manufactured, easily used and maintained, and efficient, satisfactory and practical for the purpose intended.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a novel classifying apparatus with portions broken away'and shown in section for clarity;

Figure 2 is an end elevational view of the novel classifying apparatus as seen substantially from line 22 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantially on line 33 of Figure 2, showing in detail the manner in which a separation chamber is hung for horizontal reciprocatory movement on the support frame of the apparatus;

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional View taken substantially on line 4-4' of Figure 2, showing diagrammatically the path of movement of airflow in one of the separation chambers;

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 55 of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary sectional View taken substantially on line 66 of Figure 4, with portions broken away and shown in section for clarity; and

Figure 7 is a further enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantially on line '7-7 of Figure 6.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the novel classifying apparatus is indicated generally at 10 including a support frame member 12, a tier of horizontally inclined separation chamber members 14, which are pivotally hung on the support frame member 12 as will subsequently become apparent, the frame member 12 having suitably secured thereon a hopper assembly indicated generally at 16 into which a mixture to be classified will be deposited, said hopper assembly including suitable control means indicated generally at 13 for dispensing from said hopper assembly a predetermined flow of said mixture. Material dispensed from the hopper assembly is subsequently conducted into the separation chamber members as will be described in detail, and various values of the material will be separated in relation to their relative specific gravities by means of reciprocation of the separation chamber members this being accomplished by oscillating means indicated generally at 29 and draft means indicated generally at 22, said oscillating means and draft means being power driven by means of a suitable power assembly indicated generally at 24 which may be an internal combustion engine, electric motor or the like.

The support frame member 12 includes a suitable base portion 26 which has extending from opposite side edge portions vertically extending support members 28, 30, 32 and 34 which are disposed in longitudinal spaced relationship on said base member which have extending across their upper end portions suitably secured thereto a longitudinal side frame member 36. The vertical support members 28 through 34 may have extending therebetween suitable transverse header members 38*forproviding substantial rigidity to the support frame member. The previously mentioned hopper assembly 16 is suitably secured in raised relationship above the end 40 of the support frame member, which for convenience will be defined as the forward end of the classifying apparatus, the opposite end 42 of said supportframe being defined as the rear end of said apparatus. The aforementioned hopper assembly is of any conventional character and will normally have a dispensing portion disposed intransverse relationship relative to the space between the verticalsupport members of the support-frame member.

The power assembly 24, previously mentioned, may comprise an internal combustion engine or the like and is suitablysecured ona forward portion of the'base member 26, if convenient, and in the disclosed embodiment includes a power output shaft 44 havingtsuitably secured thereon a pulley member 46 over which is journaled a suitable :flexible drive belt 48, see Figure 1, said drive belt 48 being journaled over a suitable pulley member 50 journaled on a transverse support shaft 52 carried in suitable journal elements 54, only one being shown, suitably secured on the vertical support members 34, the driven pulley-50being in planar alignment with the power output pulley 46. The transverse shaft 52 has suitably secured in spaced relationship thereon driving pulleys 56 and 58, shown fragmentarily in Figure 2, which have journaled thereover flexible driving belts 60 and 62, respectively, the belt 60, as will subsequently be described, being operable to drive a suitable draft creating fan forming apart of thedraft means 22, and the flexible belt 62 being operable to drive the oscillating means which will alsobe described in detail.

The base member 26, see Figure 2, has extending from a side portion 64 a laterally projecting support portion 66 on which is mounted a suitable manifold chamber member 68, said manifold chamber member 68 having extending into the side portion 70 thereof a'plurality of vertically disposed duct elements 72 for communicating with the separation chamber members -14, as will subsequently be described, said manifold chamber member 68 including an upper hood portion 74. The hoodmember .74 has in communication therewith a suitable exhaust conduit 76 in communication with the intake side of a suitable draft creating fan assembly 78 which may be of the squirrel cage type, if desired, said fan assembly including an output portion 80 terminating in a suitable conduit 82 which will carry therethrough exhaustdust, etc., which may be subsequently collected and further classified in the eventextremely valuable materials, such as ores, are being separated by the apparatus. The fan assembly 78 has extending laterally therefrom a driven shaft 84 having a suitable pulley member secured on an end portion thereof, and extending away from the fan assembly 78 is a suitable support bracket element 88 which carries thereon a transverse support shaft-90 which has mounted thereon a pulley member 92 in planar alignment with the pulley 86, a flexible drive belt 94 being journaled over said respective planar aligned pulleys, and the shaft 90 has secured thereon in spaced relationship from the pulley 92 a pulley member 96, see Figure 1, which is in planar alignment with pulley member '56, previously described, the flexible drive belt 60 being journaled over the respective pulleys 56 and 96. Thus the power means 24 is operative to rotate the fan assembly 78 providing sufircient draft means for operating the classifying apparatus. Although the drive means 'forjboth the fan assembly and oscillating means has been disclosed as flexible belts and cooperating pulley members, any conventional force transmitting means may be utilized for this purpose, such as bevel gear drives, hydraulic drives, etc.

Extending vertically between the vertical support members 28 is an intermediate vertical support member 98, see Figure -2, the vertical support member 98 and one .of the vertical support members 28 have extend- ,are in substantially planaralignmentadjacent underlying pulley members 103 having journaled thereover flexible drive belts 62 previously described, thus the power means .24 is effective for simultaneously rotating the-oscillating shafts 104.

Eachof the separation chamber members 14 is of an identical character and accordingly one of which will be described in detail, however, as will subsequently become apparent each of said separation chambers may be utilized for separating a different grade of material which .will be determined by means of screened chute members as will subsequently becometapparcnt.

As most clearly seen in Figures 4 through 7, the separation chamber members 14 comprise a substantially closed body member 106 which may be substantially rectangular in appearance, if desired, and constructed from any suitable .material, said .body member 106 including top and bottomportions 108 and .110, side wall portions 112 and 114 which are suitably secured to said top and bottom walls, and end walls .1 15and 116 identified as the front and rear walls, respectively, of the novel classifying apparatus. The bottom members of said separation chamber members have secured in any suitable manner on an undersurface portion thereof, adjacent 'the sides 112 and 114 aligned journal support elements 118 receiving therein .a transverse pivot shaft .120 which is journaled in a suitably apertured 'lower end .of a pivot hanger strap 124, see Figure 7, said strap 124 being suitably apertured at its tupper end and receiving therein a suitably journaled upper .pivotpin 126 which is journaled on an inner surface portion of a vertical support member 28 or 30, see Figure 4.

Extending longitudinally toward the rear of theclassifying apparatus from a central portion of a transverse member 128 of the body member106,see Figures 4 and 7, is an .integral plate member 130 wl1ich1has suitably secured thereona journal bracket element 132, said journal bracket element 132 having journaled therein a suitable bearing raceelement 134 having an eccentrically or offcentered drilled transverse aperture portion 136 through which the oscillating shafts 104 will extend, the shafts 104 being fixedly secured to theelements .134 and rotation of said shafts 104 will result in uniform reciprocatory or oscillatory movement of the separationchamber members. Although a specific means for oscillating the sepa ration chambers members has beendisclosed any suitable means may be incorporated for .accomplishing this purpose.

The side members 112 and 114 of the body member 106 of the separation chamber members has extending forwardly therefrom oppositely disposed mounting plate elements 138 (only onebeing shown), seeFigure l, which are secured toand have mounted thereon in any suitable manner a longitudinally extending chute member 140 which is horizontally inclined, the lowermost chute member 142having a solid bottom 144, and the other chute members having screened bottom portions 146 which are graduated in size, the uppermost chute having the largest screen openings, said openings being graduated in descending order, wherein when material is dispensed from the hopper assembly 16 it will be screened through the uppermost chute member 140 with certain sizes being retained thereon, additional material being screened through the underlying chute members wherein a final graded size is retained on the solid bottom portion 144 of chute member 142. The chute members may be defined collectively as a tier of chute members, and although four separate chamber members have been disclosed in the preferred embodiment, any desired number may be incorporated in the novel classifying apparatus, and if desired a single separation chamber may be utilized for classifying purposes.

The body member 106 of the separation chambers may be constructed of a plurality of separate sections in order to form duct means which will subsequently be described, said separate sections being retained in assembled relationship by means of transverse tie rods 148 extending through the side wall members 112 and 114, see Figure 5, and suitable vertically extending tie rods 150, and for the purpose of providing suflicient rigidity to the separation chamber longitudinally extending wall members 152 may be disposed therein in parallel alignment with the inner surface portions of the side wall members 112 and 114.

The end or front wall 115 has extending transversely thereacross regulating or control means comprising a transverse bar 154, see Figure 4, having a plurality of vertical slots 156 therein which have extending therethrough bolt assemblies 158 including a wing nut element 160 which control an ingress portion 162 of the separa tion chambers. Again referring to Figure 4, a second regulating member 164 is provided in underlying relationship relative to the member 154 said member 164 having suitable vertical slots 166 extending therethrough through which receive end portions of bolt assemblies 168 which include a wing nut element 170 for adjusting purposes. Thus the transverse members 154 and 164 may be adjusted toward and away from each other for the purpose of regulating the flow of the mixture of material to be classified in the separation chamber member.

As clearly seen in Figure 4, the body member 106 has extending longitudinally therethrough mixture input duct means 172 which is in communication with the ingress portion 162 previously mentioned, and which extends the entire length of the body member 106 the lower portion 17 4 of said duct means providing a table portion upon which the mixture of material will move. Although the wall members 152 extend transversely through the mixture input duct means 172, see Figure 5, said mixture input duct means will be considered to extend transversely across the body member 106 of the separation chamber members 14. Extending longitudinally through the entire length of the body member 106 in overlying relationship relative to the mixture input duct means 172 is an exhaust duct means 176 which terminates in an enlarged transverse exhaust duct 178 which extends transversely across the body member 106 being closed at one end by the side wall member 112 of said body member 106, and continuing in an arcuate duct portion 180, see Figure 2, which continues as a transverse duct portion 182 in communication with the mixture input duct means, see Figure 4, said duct portion 182 extending laterally from the separation chamber members and being connected to the previously mentioned duct portions 72 in communication with the manifold chamber member 68 by means of suitable flexible connecting elements 184, for example, which will permit the previously mentioned reciprocatory movement of the separation chamber members.

The exhaust duct means 176 includes a bottom wall portion 186 having extending transversely thereacross a row'of transverse aperture portions 188 permitting communication between the mixture input duct means and said exhaust duct means. Slidingly supported on suitable transverse guide rails 190 disposed on opposite sides of a transverse slot portion 192 formed in the upper Wall portion 196 of the mixture input duct means, said guide rails 190 reciprocably supporting damper control means 198 constituting an elongated board or plate member, said damper control means 198 including therein a plurality of transversely extending aperture portions 200 which may be aligned with the aperture portions 188 in the bottom wall 186 of the exhaust duct means. The damper control means or members 198 have extending through the side portion 114 of the separation chamber body member 106 a suitably secured threaded shaft member 202 having a wing nut element 204 secured thereon wherein said damper member 198 may be adjusted as indicated by the direction arrow in the left-hand'portion of Figure 6 for the purpose of controlling the overlying relationship of the apertures 188 and 200 for controlling the volume air passing therethrough. Extending through the bottom or table portion 174 of the mixture input duct means 172 is a separation station duct means 206, a similar number of separation station duct means 206 being provided in the bottom or table member 174 comparable tothe number of communicating portions between the mixture input duct means and exhaust duct means, the aforementioned communicating portions 188 being in substantially overlying relationship relative to the separation station duct means.

The bottom portion 174 of the mixture input duct means is disposed in vertically spaced relationship relative to the bottom 110 of the body member 106 of the separation chamber members, see Figure 4, and has formed therein a plurality of transverse air intake chambers 208 which includes a plurality of transverse aperture portions 210 extending thereacross and communicating with the exterior of the bottom Wall 110 of the body member 106. Disposed in transverse underlying relationship relative to the aperture portions 210 are suitably secured spaced rail members 212 and 214 which slidably support thereon a damper control member or means 216 similar to that previously described, said damper control -means 216 ineluding a plurality of transverse aperture portions 218 extending therethrough for alignment with the previously mentioned aperture portions 210. The member 216 has secured on another surface portion thereof a laterally extending bolt element 220 which has secured thereon a suitable adjusting wing nut element 222 wherein the relative overlying alignment between the apertures 210 and 218 may be adjusted for the purpose of controlling the amount of air which will be drawn into the chamber 283 as will subsequently become apparent. The chambers 208 are closed at their rear end portions 224, this portion defining an upwardly angulated portion defining one side of a separation station duct means 206, and the forward Wall portion 226 of said chambers 208 including a plurality of transversely extending apertures 228 therethrough in communication with the separation station duct member in underlying relationship relative to the mixture input duct means. Extending transversely across the table or bottom portion 174 of the mixture input duct means is a rifiie means 230 which extends upwardly in the mixture input means downstream of the separation station duct means and communicating portions between the mixture input duct means and exhaust duct means. The riflle means includes in overlying relationship relative to portion 230 thereof a transverse angulated portion 232 defining a relatively reduced throat portion downstream of the previously mentioned separation station duct means and communicating portions between the mixture input and exhaust duct means defining an increased velocity flow of air drawn past the separation station duct means.

Thus upon operation of the fan assembly 78 air -is drawn in through the aperture portions 218 into the air input chambers 208, through the aperture portions 228 and throughthe separation station duct means 206, then the air passes upwardly as indicated by the various directional arrows in Figure 4, .through the cooperating apertures 188and 200.and thence outof the conduitportions 178, 180, 182 into themanifold chamberrmember 68 and finally out of the fan assembly 78 and out through the exhaust duct 82. As previously mentioned, while the movement of .1 air is taking place, the separation chamber members 14are shakenor reciprocated as previously mentioned by means of the oscillating shafts 104,'and'due to their horizontally inclined disposition ,a mixture of material is fed into the ingress portion of the'input duct means andthence drawn along thetable member 174 i. e. the bottom portion of the mixture input duct means. When the mixture of material reaches the separation station duct means themovement of the air drawn through said separation station duct means as previously mentioned, causes said mixture to be raised vertically, and although the rifiie means increases the velocity flow dueto the reduced throat portion it slows the progress of said material sufficiently fora predetermined value to drop through the separation stationduct means. Lighter or fine material will be carried immediately through the aperture portions v188-and 200 and thence through the exhaust duct means as indicated by the direction arrowsin Figure 4. By controlling the damper control members or means 198 and 216 it is possible to'disassociate several different values from a mixture being classified as it passes downstream within the mixture input duct means.

The bottom member 110 of the body member 106 of the separation chamber members include a plurality of transverse slot portions 234 extending therethrough in communication with the separation station duct means, and disposed on opposite sides of said slot portions 234 are suitable guide rails236 and 238 which slidingly support transverse receptacle or drawers indicated at 240. The drawers 240 may have on one end portion thereof transparent windows 242 whereby an operator of the ap- I paratus may readily observe the values which are being collected therein and change the relative positions of the damper control means, as well as for the purpose of determining when one of said receptacles 240 should be emptied.

As seen in Figures 4 and 7 the bottom member 174 terminates short of portion 128 previously described defining a transverse slot portion 244 in communication with the exhaust duct means 182. The bottom portion 174 of the mixture input duct means has extending thereacross a suitable transverse rod 246 having journaled thereon a damper control element 248 which includes on its undersurface portion a pivot ear element 250 having journaled therein one end of a linkage element 252, the other end of saidrlinkage element 252 being pivotally connected to a second linkage element 254, see Figure 7, which is secured to a transverse pivot rod 256. The pivot rod 256 extends between the side Wall portions 112 and 114 of the body member 106 and extends laterally beyond one of said side portions, see Figure l, and has secured thereon an adjusting handle member 258 which may be engaged with an arcuate serrated segment element 260 for retaining said handle258 in various positions of adjustment. The damper control means 248 is effective for reducing the opening or communication between the mixture input duct means 172 and the exhaust duct 182 whereby the velocity flow of the movement of the air therebetween will bematerially increased thus providing means for removing tailings of the mixture being classified which have not been deposited in the separation station duct means farthest downstream in the body members 106.

Briefly in review, a predetermined mixture of material is deposited in the hopper assembly 16, said mixture is dispensed upon the chute members :140.and:1i42, ascreened regulated mixture is permitted .to enter :the input duct means, :the damper control means are adjustedlfor separating different values progressively .in the separation chamber members 14, said -.values .are .collected in the receptacles1240, and exhaust material is removed through the exhaustduct 82, said material being susceptableto further classification depending upon the value of the material being classified.

Thus there has been disclosed novel classifying apparatu which fully conforms with the objects of invention heretoforeset forth.

Various positional directional =terms such as upper, lower, etc. are utilized herein to'have only a relative connotation to aid in describing-the device and it is not intendedto require any particular orientation withrespect to any external elements.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilledin the art, it is not desired to limit the invention toithe exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of theappended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Material classifying apparatus for separating different values of ows, seed and the like in relation to the different specific gravities thereof comprising a vertical support frame member, an elongated horizontally inclined closed separation chamber memberpivotally hung on said support frame member, oscillating means engaged with said separationchamber member shaking said chamber member-on its longitudinal axis, material input duct meansextending the length of said chamber member, regulating means on a raised end portion of said chamber member controlling the quantity of mixture entering the input duct means, exhaust duct means extending the length of said chamber member in overlying relationship to said material input duct means, air input duct means in said chamber member in communication with the exterior thereof, separation station duct means in communication with said material input duct means for receiving therein a predetermined value of separated material, the air input duct means communicating with said separation duct means below the material input duct means, the exhaust duct means communicating with the material input duct means in overlying relationship relative to the separation duct means, air draft means in communication with the material input and exhaust duct means causing air to move through the air input, separation station, material input and exhaust duct means, first damper control means interposed in the air input duct means controlling the volume of airflow therethrough, second damper control means interposed between the material input and exhaust duct means, and riflie means extending into the material input duct means downstream of said separation station duct means and second damper control means throttling airflow through the material input duct means causing a value of separated material to gravitate into the separation station duct means.

2. Material classifying apparatus for separating different value of ores, seed and the like in relation to the different specific gravities thereof comprising a vertical support frame member, an elongated horizontally inclined closed separation chamber member pivotally hung on said support frame member, oscillating means engaged with said separation chamber'membcr shaking said chamber means on its longitudinal axis, material input duct means extending the length of said chamber member, regulating means on a raised end portion of said chamber member controlling the quantity of mixture entering the input duct means, exhaust duct means extending thelength of said chamber-member in overlying relationship-to said -1naterial-input duct means, air input duct means in said chamber member in communication with the exterior thereof, separation station duct means in communication with said material input duct means for receiving therein a predetermined value of separated material, the air input duct means communicating with said separation duct means below the material input duct means, the exhaust duct means communicating with the material input duct means in overlying relationship relative to the separation duct means, air draft means in communication with the material input and exhaust duct means causing air to move through the air input, separation station, material input and exhaust duct means, first damper control means interposed in the air input duct means controlling the volume of airflow therethrough, second damper control means interposed between the material input and exhaust duct means, riflle means extending into the material input duct means downstream of said separation station duct means and second damper control means throttling airflow through the material input duct means causing a value of separated material to gravitate into the separation station duct means, and third damper control means interposed between the air draft and material input duct means downstream of said ritfle means increasing velocityflow of the tailings of material passing through the material input duct means.

3. Material classifying apparatus for separating different values of ores, seed and the like in relation to the diiferent specific gravities thereof comprising a vertical support frame member, an elongated horizontally inclined closed separation chamber member pivotally hung on said support frame member, oscillating means engaged with said separation chamber member shaking said chamber member on its longitudinal axis, material input duct means extending the length of said chamber member, regulating means on a raised end portion of said chamber member controlling the quantity of mixture entering the input duct means, exhaust duct means extending the length of said chamber member in overlying relationship to said material inputduct means, air input duct means in said chamber member in communication with the exterior thereof, a plurality of longitudinally disposed separation station duct means in communication with said material input duct means for receiving therein a predetermined value of separated material, the air input duct means communicating with said separation duct means below the material input duct means, the exhaust duct means communicating with the material input duct means in overlying relationship relative to the separation duct means, air draft means in communication with the material input and exhaust duct means causing air to move through the air input, separationtstation, material input and exhaust duct means, first damper control means interposed in the air input duct means controlling the volume of airflow therethrough, second damper control means interposed between the material input and exhaust duct means, and riflie means extending into the material input duct means downstream of each of said separation station duct means and second damper control means throttling airflow through the material input ductmeans causing a value of separated material to gravitate into the separation station duct means.

4. Material classifying apparatus for separating different values of ores, seed and the like in relation to the different specific gravities thereof comprising a vertical support frame member, an elongated horizontally inclined closed separation chamber member pivotally hung on said support frame member, oscillating means engaged with said separation chamber member shaking said chamber member on its longitudinal axis, material input duct means extendingthe length of said chamber member, regulating means on a raised end portion of said chamber member controlling the quantity of mixture entering the input duct means, exhaust duct means extending the length of; saidchamber member mover-lying relationship to said material input duct means, air input duct means in said chamber-member in communication with the exterior thereof, a plurality of longitudinally disposed separation station duct means in communication with said material input duct means for receiving therein a predetermined value of separated material, the air input duct means communicating with said separation duct means below the material input duct means, the exhaust duct means communicating with the material input duct means in overlying relationship relative to the separation duct means, air draft means in communication with the material input and exhaust duct means causing air to move through the air input, separation station, material input and exhaust duct means, first damper control means interposed in the air input duct means controlling the volume of airflow therethrough, second damper control means interposed between the material input and exhaust duct means, riifle means extending into the material input duct means downstream of each of said separation station duct means and second damper control means throttling airflow through the material input duct means causing a value of separated material to gravitate into the separation station duct means, and third damper control means interposed between the air draft and material input duct means downstream of said riflle means increasing velocity flow of the tailings of material passing through the material input duct means.

5. Progressive material classifying apparatus for separating different values of ores, seed and the like in relation to the diflterent specific gravities thereof comprising a vertical support frame member, a plurality of tiers of elongated horizontally inclined closed separation members pivotally hung in overlying relationship on said support frame member, oscillating means engaged with said separation chamber members shaking said separation chamber members on their longitudinal axes, a longitudinally extending horizontally inclined chute member secured on an upper end portion of the chamber members for movement therewith, the bottom portion of upper chute members comprising a graduating screen, the graduating screen of the uppermost chute member being of the larger size and underlying screen members being of a smaller size, the lowermost chute member having a solid panel portion for retaining thereon material screened through the overlying screen members, material input duct means extending the length of said chamber members, regulating means on a raised end portion of said chamber member controlling the quantity of mixture from the chute members entering the input duct means, exhaust duct means extending the length of said chamber members in overlying relationship relative to said material input duct means, air input duct means in said chamber members in communication with the exterior thereof, separation station duct means in communicationwith said material input duct means for receiving therein a predetermined value of separated material, the air input duct means communicating with said separation duct means below the material input duct means, the exhaust duct means communicating with the material input duct means in overlying relationship relative to the separation duct means, air draft means in communication with the material input and exhaust duct means causing air to move through the air input, separation station, material input and exhaust duct means, first damper control means interposed in the air input duct means controlling the volume of airflow therethrough, second damper control means interposed between the material input and exhaust duct means, and riflle means extending into the material input duct means downstream of said separation station duct means and second damper control means throttling airflow through the material input ductmeans causing a value of material to gravitate into the separation station duct means.

6. Progressive material classifying apparatus for separating different values of ores, seed and the like in res:

lation *tothe difierent specific gravities thereof comprising a vertical support frame member, a plurality of tiers of elongatedhorizontally inclined closed separation members pivotally hung in overlying relationship on said support frame member, oscillating means engaged with said separation chamber members shakingsaid separation chamber members on their longitudinal axes,-a'longitudinally extending horizontally inclined chute member secured on an upper end portion of the chamber members'formovement-therewith, the bottom portion of upper chute members comprisinga graduating'screemthe graduating screen of the uppermost chute member being of the larger size and underlying screen members being of a smaller size, the lowermost chute member having a solid panel portion for retainingthereon material screened through the overlying screenmembers, material input duct means extending the length of said chamber members,regulating means on ,a raised end portion of said chamber member controlling the quantity of mixture from the chute members entering the input duct means, exhaust duct means extending the length of said chamber members in overlying relationship relative to said material input duct means, air input duct means in said chamber members in communication with the exterior thereof, separation station duct means in communication with said material input duct means for receiving therein a predetermined value of separated material, the air input duct means communicating with said separation duct means below the material input duct means, the exhaust duct means communicating with the material input duct means in overlying relationship relative to the separation duct means, air draft means in communication with the material input and exhaust duct means causing air to move through the air input, separation station, material input and duct means, first damper control means interposed in the air input duct means controlling the volume of airflow therethrough, second damper control means interposed between the material input and exhaust duct means, riffle means extending into the material input duct means downstream of said separation station duct means and second damper control means throttling airflow through the material input duct means causing a value of material to gravitate into the separation stationduct means, and third damper control means interposed between the air draft and material input duct means downstream of said riflie means increasing velocity flow of the tailings of material passing through the material input duct means.

7. Progressive material classifying apparatus for separating different values of ores, seed and the like in relation to the different specific gravities thereof comprising a vertical support frame member, a plurality of tiers of elongated horizontally inclined closed separation members pivotally hung in overlying relationship on said support frame member, oscillating means engaged with said separation chamber members shaking said separation chamber members on their longitudinal axes, a longi tudinally extending horizontally inclined chute member secured on an upper end portion of the chamber members for movement therewith, the bottom portion of upper chute members comprising a graduating screen, the graduating screen of the uppermost chute member being of the larger size and underlying screen members being of a smaller size, the lowermost chute member having ,a solid panel portion for retaining thereon material screened through the overlying screen members, material input duct means extending the length of said chamber members,regulating means on a raised end portion of said chamber member controlling the quantity of mixture from the chute members entering the input duct means, exhaust duct means extending the lengthof said chamber members in overlying relationship relative to said material input duct means, air input duct means in said chamber members in communication with the exterior thereof, a plurality of longitudinally disposed separation stationduct means in communication with said material input duct means for receiving therein a predetermined value of separated material, the air input duct means communicating with said separation duct means below the material input duct means, the exhaust duct means communicating with the material input duct means in overlying relationship relative to the separation duct means, air draft means in communication with the material input and exhaust duct means causing air to move through the air input, separation station, material input and exhaust duct means, first damper control means interposed in the air input duct means controlling the volume of airflow therethrough, second damper control means interposed between the material input and exhaust duct means, and riflie means extending into the material input duct means downstream of each of said separation duct means and second damper control means throttling airflow through the material input duct means causing a value of material to gravitate into the separation station duct means.

8. Progressive material classifying apparatus for separating different values of ores, seed and the like in relation to the different specific gravities thereof comprising a vertical support frame member, a plurality of tiers of elongated horizontally inclined closed separation members pivotally hung in overlying relationship on said support frame member, oscillating means engaged with said separation chamber members shaking said separation chamber members on their longitudinal axes, a longitudinally extending horizontally inclined chute member secured on an upper end portion of the chamber members for movement therewith, the bottom portion of upper chute members comprising a graduating screen, the graduating screen of the uppermost chute member being of the larger size and underlying screen members being of a smaller size, the lowermost chute member having a solid panel portion for retaining thereon material screened through the overlying screen members, material input duct means extending the length of said chamber members, regulating means on a raised end portion of said chamber member controlling the quantity of mixture from the chute members entering the input duct means, exhaust duct means extending the length of said chamber members in overlying relationship to said material input duct means, air inputduct means in said chamber members in communication with the exterior thereof, a plurality of longitudinally disposed separation station duct means in communication with said material input duct means for receiving therein a predetermined value of separated material, the air input duct means communicating with said separation duct means below the material input duct means, the exhaust duct means communicating with the material input duct means in overlying relationship relative to the separation duct means, air draft means in communication with the material input and exhaust duct means causing air to move through the air input, separation station, material input and exhaust duct means, first damper control means interposed in the air input duct means controlling the volume of airflow therethrough, second damper control means interposed between the material input and exhaust duct means, riflie means extending into the material input duct means downstream of each of said separation duct means and second damper control means throttling airflow through the material input duct means causing a value of material to gravitate into the separation station duct means, and third damper control means interposed between the air draft and material input duct means downstream of said riffle means increasing velocity flow of the tailings of material passing through the material input duct means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

